Contrary to what Bill Nye the Science Guy says, when we die, it’s NOT over. In the Book of Revelation, St. John tells us many times of an Eternal Song that is being sung continually by the Saints and Angels. It is a song of redemption that extends all the way back to Moses: “And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, . . . .” (Revelation 15:3) Here, St. John refers to the song sang by Moses and his sister Miriam as they stood by the shores of the Red Sea rejoicing with the people of Israel in their deliverance from slavery in Egypt (see Exodus 15).
It is interesting to note how closely the structure of Revelation 15:3 mirrors the beginning of Exodus 15: “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, . . . .” (Exodus 15:1) What particularly fascinates me is that each of these passages use what to us seem to be contradictory words: “sing” and “saying” (Rev. 15:3) and “sang” and “saying” (Ex. 15:1). What can we learn from this?
It is clear that the Greek and Hebrew words translated in English as “saying” do not always refer to the MANNER of utterance, but in some cases refer only to WHAT is being uttered or proclaimed. Therefore, those who use passages such as Isaiah 6:3 and Luke 2:13 to argue that angels do not sing need to reconsider their argument.
Nevertheless, whenever we sing and play instruments to the glory of God proclaiming His redemptive work through Jesus Christ, we join the Eternal Song of Redemption and the Song of the Lamb.
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
Revelation 15:3-4
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
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